WND EXCLUSIVE

Lobbyists beware: Jack Abramoff is after you

Former D.C. powerbroker brings message of corruption to the people

Published: 02/09/2013 at 7:46 PM

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Jack Abramoff, the imprisoned and now reformed D.C. lobbyist, has been a hot commodity on the national lecture circuit, appearing as the first speaker at the Rancho Mirage Speaker Series in Rancho, Calif.

“We have the best government money can buy, or lobbyists can buy,” Abramoff told those in attendance.

He’ll also be speaking at the famed Atlanta Commerce Club on Feb. 27, at an Atlanta Press Club Newsmaker Luncheon.

Once Washington, D.C.’s most powerful lobbyist, when Abramoff was fingered for corruption, many inside the Beltway sought to distance themselves from his shady dealings. But now that Abramoff is out of prison, he’s turned over a new leaf and is determined to expose just how deep the Capitol’s culture of corruption has become – and to offer solutions about how the federal government can be cleaned up.

In the span of 10 years, Jack Abramoff became the most powerful lobbyist on Capitol Hill. Congressmen lined up to do his bidding, executives heeded his advice and heads of governments hung on his every word. But scandal brought him down, ultimately casting him into prison.

As the Abramoff name became synonymous with government corruption, the drastic fall from grace was his wake-up call. He now admits he did wrong. He lost sight of the “line,” and he had plenty of time to reflect during his 43-month prison sentence. He has paid the price, and now he is ready and willing to discuss details – as well as his unique insight into the systemic reforms needed to prevent others from falling into “disgrace.”

In his book, Abramoff “outs” senators and members of Congress and sets out the details of insider deals previously unknown to most. He also sets forth a Capitol Hill reform plan that would rock the fraternal inside-the-Beltway culture.

The scandals triggered by Abramoff led to the convictions of 20 people for payoffs in exchange for political favors, including Republican Rep. Bob Ney of Ohio. Abramoff was released in June after nearly four years in federal prison.

Published by WND Books, “Capitol Punishment” also reveals that Abramoff is “a smart, funny, charming, clear-eyed narrator who confounds every expectation of the media’s villainous portrait.”

He has appeared on all the major television news networks including CNN, Fox News Channel and MSNBC as well as major news programs such as “60 Minutes,” HBO’s “Real Time with Bill Maher” and “The Colbert Report.”

Adds the publisher: “While he is the villain in the black fedora hat to most of the world, this narrative unearths Abramoff, the human being – tortured, troubled, guilt-ridden, broken, sorrowful, penitent. There are lessons in this book for all – a compelling and redemptive story.”

A profile and interview piece on Abramoff done earlier by “60 Minutes” can be seen below: